Enhancing Breastfeeding Initiation in Adolescent Mothers Through the Breastfeeding Educated and Supported Teen (BEST) Club

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if specific breastfeeding education, provided by a lactation consultant in group classes for pregnant adolescents, would increase breastfeeding initiation among students enrolled in a high school adolescent pregnancy program. Ninety-one pregnant adolescents participated in the study and were divided into two groups: those who did not receive specific breastfeeding education and those who did, through the Breastfeeding Educated and Supported Teen (BEST) Club. There were no significant differences in breastfeeding initiation with regard to age or ethnicity. Of the 48 adolescents who received no specific education, 7 (14.6%) initiated breastfeeding. Of the 43 adolescents in the education group, 28 (65.1%) initiated breastfeeding, which indicates a significant difference between groups with regard to infant feeding choice (P < .001). The results of this study indicate that targeted educational programs designed for the adolescent learner may be successful in improving breastfeeding initiation in this population.

Perfil da prática da amamentação em grupo de mães adolescentes

“…Evaluations of educational programs aimed at adolescent mothers have significant prominence in the literature investigated (4) . However, it must be considered that, in general, the proposals of educational action and of assistance show dissociations, i.e.…”

Incentives to Promote Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review

“…Sixteen full reports [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] were included in the review. Two conference abstracts were excluded because of their limited information.…”

“…The demographic data varied in quantity and in categorization, making comparisons across studies difficult. The mean age of participants varied between 16.2 and 31.6 years, and studies tended to focus on women of specific ethnicity, such as white, 21,24,25,28,31 black, 19,22,32 Hawaiian, 23 or Hmong. 27 In 5 of the 6 studies that reported relationship status, the majority of participants were married or living with their partner.…”

“…Eleven studies compared intervention groups receiving incentives versus control groups receiving no incentives, a very small incentive, or a disincentive (gift packs including formula milk). [18][19][20][21][25][26][27][28]30,31,33 Two studies evaluated those receiving incentives but had no control group. 20,23 Two other studies provided both intervention and control groups with the same incentive, and these studies were therefore comparing other intervention components.…”

Role of Social Support in Breastfeeding for Adolescent Mothers

“…Special and specific concern is necessary, as these mothers' degree of commitment in maintaining their children's growth is affected by the liability of their physical and psychological maturity. Moreover, several studies by researchers have suggested that social support plays an important role and is needed if adolescent mothers are to perform exclusive breastfeeding [4,6,10,12,15].…”